Northwestern hosts global conference on development economics

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the Global Poverty Research Lab recently brought together top researchers in development economics to discuss public policy and promote global initiatives.

The Conference on Development Economics integrated cutting-edge theory and first-rate empirical work as speakers addressed issues such as social conflict, health and education within the contexts of policy and economic research.

Faculty from around the world engaged 150 scholars in a two-day dialogue exploring opportunities and implications of policy on development.

“What’s unique about this conference is how it asked researchers to focus on the policy relevance of their work,” said Nancy Qian, James J. O’Connor Professor of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences at Kellogg.

Researchers shared their real-world experiences working with policymakers and shared actionable insights with future researchers.

Featured speakers included Melissa Dell, professor of economics at Harvard University; Esther Duflo, professor of poverty alleviation and development economics at MIT; and Debraj Ray, professor of economics at NYU.